Is Bible prophecy literal or figurative?

What starting point enables us to put prophecy into perspective?

The prophets "searched diligently" to understand what "the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify" (1 Peter 1:11)." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 1:11). We also need to search diligently to know who is speaking, what is spoken, to whom, and for what purpose. The time frame of the fulfillment is also vital. Prophecy has three themes: Christ, His suffering and glory; Israel's future and the nations' destiny.

The New Testament is an infallible guide in the way it interprets Old Testament prophecy. Two facts are plain: Christ is the Key to all prophecy (2 Corinthians 3:14)," TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 3:14), and interpretation is literal. A virgin did bear a Child in Bethlehem, who grew up in Galilee, was rejected, spit upon, His hands and feet pierced, His face and form marred. He died for sin, but His body could not see corruption and He rose from the dead. These are only ten of hundreds of literal fulfillments. We have no authority to allegorize prophecy; it is to be taken literally.

N. Crawford

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If a Christian commits suicide, will he / she still go to heaven?

Is the sin of suicide a special, unforgivable sin?

If a Christian commits suicide, will he / she still go to heaven? The brief answer is "yes". A person who is saved will be in heaven when he dies regardless of what kind of sin he has committed, including suicide. But there are several objections and misunderstandings about the nature of salvation that need to be explained in order to clarify the matter.

Salvation is not a result of any work that one might do to counteract sin or gain favor with God. Neither is salvation the result of avoiding sin. The Bible says that salvation is not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:8-9) and that nobody, except Christ Himself, has ever avoided sinning (Romans 3:1-23)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 3:1-23). The only action God expects from us is that we acknowledge our guilt from doing wrong and trust Christ Jesus for what he did on the cross (John 1:12-13)." TARGET="_blank">John 1:12-13). Once a person is saved, "there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 8:1).

The idea of suicide being unforgivable comes from Catholic teachings dating back to the earliest days of the Roman Church. Saint Augustine taught that suicide is tantamount to self murder and therefore leads to an eternity in hell. The Catholic doctrine states that confession leads to forgiveness of sins. An unconfessed sin is an unforgiven sin and therefore a person who kills himself dies in an unforgiven state since he has no opportunity to confess his crime.

The problem with his view is that it represents a misunderstanding of the nature of salvation and eternal security.

First, a person who trusts in Christ's death for the fogiveness of his/her sins is saved. All sins are forgiven including those from childhood to old age, from small seemingly trivial mis-spoken words to grave violations of the law.

Second, the person who is saved did nothing to neither earn forgiveness nor pay for his salvation. Christ the Savior made himself answerable to God for every crime ever committed by human kind including the crime of murder. He finished the work to save completely and with finality at the cross.

Third, the saved person is secure in having eternal life. God doesn't revoke salvation based on our behavior.

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In what ways can believers help an elder to fulfill his responsibility?

In what ways can believers help an elder to fulfill his responsibility?

A primary responsibility is for believers to pray for their shepherds (James 5:16)." TARGET="_blank">James 5:16). They will one day give account to the Lord for the state of the flock (Hebrews 13:17)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:17). We can help them to watch over us with joy by submitting to the Word of God which they teach (vv 7, 17). Believers will also help overseers to care for them if they discuss with them their own struggles, concerns, and spiritual desires.

Such an ideal condition exists when the believers trust their overseers to know and care for them. Overseers earn that trust; it is not granted to a brother because the assembly recognizes him as an overseer. A brother expresses a genuine care for the believers, and therefore earns their confidence, long before the assembly recognizes him as an overseer (1 Thessalonians 5:12)." TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:12). An overseer cannot demand respect, but his life, character, care, manner, sensitivity, and sincerity will command respect. That respect is a stewardship to be carefully guarded. Without it, he will scarcely be able to "take care of the church of God" (1 Timothy 3:5)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:5).

D. Oliver
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What does "whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin" mean?

What does "whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin" mean?

In his first epistle, John refutes false teaching about the distinction between the spiritual and physical realms. By classifying everything physical as sinful, false teachers dissociated the believer's body from his spirit. This implies that as long as a believer's spirit is enlightened, his bodily behavior is irrelevant. John contends that our relationship to God requires behavior consistent with God's revealed character.

Some have thought that I John 3:9" TARGET="_blank">John 3:9 should read, "Whatsoever is born of God doth not commit sin," meaning that what God has produced in us (a nature?) is incapable of sinning. This interpretation would play into the hands of John's protagonists. That would indicate either that a believer is an enlightened spirit without sin in a body that sins or that his spirit doesn't practice sin, but his body does. John is teaching that the believer is one entity; his spirit and body are not independent parts. The believer is "born of God."

The key word is "commit," meaning a child of God cannot practicing sinning. Sinning cannot characterize one who is born of God because God is light. The epistle teaches that God's family will display likeness to the Father. A believer - not merely his body - still has the capability of sinning (1:8) and commits acts of sin (1:10); sin cannot, however, characterize him internally or externally.

D. Oliver
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How are the written and the Incarnate Word related?

How are the written and the Incarnate Word related?

John’s gospel begins with e Word," who "became flesh" (John 1:1, 14)." TARGET="_blank">John 1:1, 14). John concludes his treatise with the Lord’s blessing on those who believe His words, rather than, like Thomas, depending on sight (John 20:29)." TARGET="_blank">John 20:29). Faith in the written Word is the purpose (20:31) and theme of John’s gospel. The miracles developed the disciples’ faith (John 2:11;" TARGET="_blank">John 2:11; John 20:30);" TARGET="_blank">John 20:30); all were through His word. The Lord taught His own that His words afforded them the same sufficiency as His person.

In 18:9, John notes the fulfilling of the Lord’s sayings with the same expression He uses regarding the fulfilling of Scripture (John 12:38; 15:25)." TARGET="_blank">John 12:38; 15:25). The incarnate Word and the written Word are equally authoritative; their sayings both must be fulfilled.

Only John tells us the Lord is "the true Bread"(6:32), the Bread of which manna was typical. Manna, then, typifies the Incarnate and the written Word (Deuteronomy 8:3)." TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 8:3). The written Word is as life-sustaining, sufficient, and authoritative to us as the Incarnate Word was to the disciples.

D. Oliver
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What is the 70t week of Daniel? How long is the tribulation?

How soon will Daniel's 70th Week begin after the Rapture?

When the Church age, the parenthesis between the 69th and the 70th Week (Daniel 9:24-27)," TARGET="_blank">Daniel 9:24-27), is complete, the rapture will take place. The removal of Church saints signals the beginning of prophetic events related to Israel. Then Israel's prophetic clock will begin to tick. Daniel 9:27" TARGET="_blank">Daniel 9:27 indicates that the confirming of the covenant with many (Israel) for one week commences the 70th Week. The temple will also be rebuilt (2 Thessalonians 2:3,4;" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 2:3,4; Daniel 9:27)." TARGET="_blank">Daniel 9:27). These both imply a possible time lapse, although no specific time is mentioned. Recent world happenings in the political arena have taken place swiftly and unexpectedly. How quickly may such events occur after the Church is at home in the glory?

A. Hull

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What is the difference between fallen angels, demons, unclean spirits, and familiar spirits?

What is the difference between fallen angels, demons, unclean spirits, and familiar spirits?

This is a matter concerning which many seek to be wise beyond what is written, with results that are not profitable, either to themselves or to others. That Satan is a fallen angel, and a leader of other angels who fell with him, just as Michael is of unfallen angels, seems to be definitely proved by Revelation 12:7." TARGET="_blank">Revelation 12:7. That the sinning angels of 2 Peter 2:4" TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6" TARGET="_blank">Jude 1:6 are a different company, whose fall took place at a different time, is a view held by some, but without sufficient proof. That Satan is identical With Beelzebub the prince of demons is implied in Matthew 12:24-28" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 12:24-28 and Mark 3:22-26," TARGET="_blank">Mark 3:22-26, where Christ uses the terms interchangeably; and if that be so, the demons are most probably of the number of those who fell with him. These demons are otherwise called “unclean spirits,” because of their character, as may be seen by comparing verses Mark 5:12" TARGET="_blank">Mark 5:12 and 13. As for “familiar spirit,” it is a term used in the Old Testament of demons who, by entering into diviners, enabled them to carry on their evil work. See 1 Samuel 28:7," TARGET="_blank">1 Samuel 28:7, etc.. The “spirit of divination” in the damsel of Acts 16:16" TARGET="_blank">Acts 16:16 is similar. W.R.

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Can a sister shepherd or teach a brother?

Can a sister shepherd or teach a brother?

Guidance for this answer comes from Acts 18:26." TARGET="_blank">Acts 18:26. Priscilla’s care for Apollo was not in the context of assembly meetings. Several translators indicate that the expression, "they took him unto them," suggests receiving him to their home. In addition, Priscilla acted in concert with her husband. She didn’t assign Aquila the job of getting Apollos to their home. They moved together and worked together for his spiritual benefit.

It seems abundantly clear that as Apollos learned "the way of God more perfectly," Priscilla didn’t sit demurely in the corner while Apollos and Aquila engaged in "men talk."

Our society’s laxness underlines the need for all female and male interactions to be "with all purity" (1 Timothy 5:2)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:2).

Keeping these things in mind, a sister can be used by Lord in trying to help a brother spiritually.

D. Oliver
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Can a brother be told not to participate in the meetings of an assembly?

Can you give any Scripture for the “silencing” of a brother? For what “crime” is he to be “silenced”? and who is to do it?

This is an important enquiry. I suppose the questioner does not mean literally a “crime,” for surely no one guilty of a serious moral offence against the law could be allowed to preach or teach, even if he were allowed for the time being to remain in the assembly, which could hardly ever be the case. But I suppose what is meant is some brother, against whom, perhaps, no real accusation can be made, but who has been requested not to minister the Word.

Now, of course, we cannot judge of any particular case without knowing the details. I believe in general that no one would be silenced, unless there were good reasons—some manifest lack of gift, some recognised inability to edify the saints, some habit of too lengthy and unprofitable ministry, which had wearied hearers, or some clear moral defect. Sometimes a man may insist on reading and commenting on long chapters of the Bible, or always the same chapter, as we have known in one case, or always the same disputed doctrine, which in an unruly way he persists to inflict upon the saints.

Perhaps Paul refers to some such men in Titus 1:10" TARGET="_blank">Titus 1:10 as ”unruly and vain-talkers and deceivers . . . ,“ and then adds, “WHOSE MOUTHS MUST BE STOPPED.” It is not necessary to fill every line of this indictment, to deserve the form of discipline here prescribed. A man would seem to fall within it, who is known as an unprofit able talker, or as pushing some doubtful or controversial teaching. I do not think this silencing ought to be done by an individual acting on his own responsibility. It is a case where “two are better,” and they should act only as representatives of the assembly.

The phrase, “the liberty of the Spirit,” is sometimes quoted to show that the Spirit gives liberty to anyone who likes to teach, but in their context the words only refer to seeing Christ without a veil. Certainly the Spirit does not give liberty to those whom He has not qualified to speak. However, it does not always follow that the one silenced will never again be able to minister, for sometimes it may be that a young man may have been too quick to come forward into this service, and may develop a true gift later. I know of one such case, where the one silenced (and he submitted himself humbly to the ruling of his elders) became afterwards universally recognised as a true minister of the Word.

W.H.

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Why did God the Father, rather than Jesus, deliver the Book of Revelation to John?

Why was the Revelation given by the Father rather than by Jesus Christ Himself (Revelation 1:1)" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 1:1)?

The Revelation is given by God, Who, of course, we understand in this passage, is the Father.

The defining portrait of the Lord Jesus in the Revelation is "One like unto the Son of Man" (1:13; 14:14). As such, He has authority to execute judgment (Joh 5:27)" TARGET="_blank">Joh 5:27) and to extend God’s rule throughout God’s creation (Heb 2:6-8)." TARGET="_blank">Heb 2:6-8). The Revelation gives us the course of events leading to this fulfillment, when the word comes from the throne, "It is done" (Rev 21:6)." TARGET="_blank">Rev 21:6).

In His role as the Son of God and as the Son of Man, the Lord Jesus always moves in subjection to His Father and in dependence on His God, respectively. Because He is God, the Lord had full knowledge of all these events and He did not lack the ability to communicate them. We cannot but worship when we see Him always acting within the role entrusted to Him.

When it was God’s purpose to strengthen His people and enable them to be true to the soon-coming Sovereign, He committed that communication to Jesus Christ, the ascended Man. His role, as Son of God and Son of Man is to communicate. As His God and Father, God’s role is to determine what, when, and how to communicate.

D. Oliver

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